New Data on Phytochemical and Morphophysiological Characteristics of Platycladus orientalis L. Franco and Thuja occidentalis L. Conifer Trees in Polluted Urban Areas of Kazakhstan
Yerezhepova N. Kurmanbayeva M. Terletskaya N. Zhumagul M. Kebert M. Rašeta M. Gafforov Y. Jalmakhanbetova R. Razhanov M.
May 2024Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
Forests
2024#15Issue 5
The adaptive potential of plants in urban environments, responding to factors like air pollution, electromagnetic radiation, and specific microclimates, remains insufficiently understood. Our study focused on two evergreen Cupressaceae family species, Thuja occidentalis L. and Platycladus orientalis L. Franco, which are commonly found in Kazakhstan’s urban landscapes. Conducted in Almaty, one of Kazakhstan’s most polluted cities, our comparative analysis examined the anatomical features, photosynthetic activity, and secondary metabolite composition of these conifers. Both species exhibited xeromorphic traits, such as submerged stomata, resin passages, and a prominent leaf cuticle. T. occidentalis displayed higher photosynthetic activity values (quantum yield of photosystem II (YII), electron transport rate (ETR), and quantum yield of non-photochemical quenching (Y(NPQ))) than P. orientalis, while P. orientalis exhibited a higher quantum yield of non-regulated energy dissipation in PSII (Y(NO)) values. Chemical analysis revealed 31 components in T. occidentalis and 33 in P. orientalis, with T. occidentalis containing three times more thujone (16.42% and 5.18%, respectively) and a higher monosaccharide content (17.33% and 6.98%, respectively). T. occidentalis also contained 14.53% steroids, whereas P. orientalis showed no steroid presence. The cytotoxic activity of essential oils was determined by the survival of Artemia salina aquatic crustaceans, whereas tested essential oils from both species exhibited acute lethal toxicity to A. salina aquatic crustaceans across all tested concentrations. The connection between physiological traits, adaptation strategies, and cytotoxic effects offers a comprehensive view of the ecological and pharmacological importance of these two observed conifer species, highlighting their diverse roles in urban environments, as well as their potential medical uses.
anatomical structure , Artemia salina , chemical composition , Cupressaceae , cytotoxic activity , GC/MS analysis
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Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Department of Biodiversity and Bioresources, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi Av. 71, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
Institute of Genetic and Physiology, Al-Farabi Av. 93, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
Higher School of Natural Sciences, Astana International University, Qabanbay Batyr Ave 8, Astana, 020000, Kazakhstan
Astana Botanical Garden Branch of the Republican State Enterprise on the Right of Economic Management “Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction” of the Committee of Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Orynbor 16, Astana, 020000, Kazakhstan
Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment, University of Novi Sad, Antona Čehova 13d, Novi Sad, 21000, Serbia
Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, Novi Sad, 21000, Serbia
Central Asian Center for Development Studies, New Uzbekistan University, Tashkent, 100000, Uzbekistan
Department of Education and Training Management, Tashkent International University of Education, Tashkent, 100207, Uzbekistan
Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, 100125, Uzbekistan
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology
Institute of Genetic and Physiology
Higher School of Natural Sciences
Astana Botanical Garden Branch of the Republican State Enterprise on the Right of Economic Management “Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction” of the Committee of Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology
Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment
Department of Chemistry
Central Asian Center for Development Studies
Department of Education and Training Management
Institute of Botany
Department of Chemistry
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